The Frederick NewsPost Online
$1.6 billion horse industry
Originally published August 24, 2009
By Ike Wilson
News-Post Staff
Arlene Atkins is treated to a ride from Sara, one of 11 horses on the family’s Sweetwater Bluff Farm in Middletown.
It’s an understatement to say that horses are an important part of Maryland, Gov. Martin O’Malley told an audience at the 2009 Maryland Horse Forum, held recently in Prince George’s County.
«If you look at our state seal, on it, of course, (it) is a plowman and a fisherman, but on the other side of the seal is a horse,» O’Malley said.
This significance has not diminished in modern times, the governor told various segments of the horse industry consisting of racing, nonracing, 4-H youth educators, farmers, feed suppliers, tack suppliers, veterinarians and advocates.
Overall, Maryland’s horse industry has an annual economic impact of $1.6 billion, O’Malley said.
«That’s a very, very important part of our economy,» he said. «We know also that horses have more than just an economic impact in Maryland. They’re also helping us to preserve our farm land and our open space and are, therefore, very important to the environment that all of us share, regardless of what our daily profession might be.»
The state will use its eminent domain authority to keep the Preakness Stakes in Maryland if necessary, O’Malley said.
«Our centuries-old heritage of horse racing and breeding are woven deep into our culture and character as a part of who we are as a people,» he said.
Local horse industry
Closer to home, with 8,200 horses, Frederick County is third largest in the state’s horse industry, according to 2002 Census Bureau statistics.
«Even in this difficult economy, the horse industry is healthy and growing,» said Arlene Atkins, a 13-year equine feed sales representative for Farmers Cooperative Association Inc., who also boards horses for other owners.
Maryland has twice the number of horses as Kentucky per square mile, Atkins said.
«The average horse owner contributes greatly to the local economy, buying feed, hay, farrier, farm and horse supplies, saddlery, tractors, trucks, trailers, hired help and the list goes on,» Atkins said. «All of this and I haven’t even touched on the expenses of showing and racing.»
Atkins was recently appointed to the Frederick County Agriculture Business Council. She describes herself as an average horse person, which she defines as someone who owns two horses, dogs, cats and has a full-time job. Her family’s farm is home to 11 horses.
«The majority of average horse persons trail-ride their horse and if they own a farm, they have 10 horses living on it,» said Atkins.
Compared to 20 years ago, people are more educated in all aspects of horse care, Atkins said. And, since the cost of ownership has risen, so has the quality of the horses being raised, she said.
Atkins said she’s thankful that when the large dairy farms are sold and divided, subdivisions don’t take over. Horses, livestock or crops do, she said.
«Throughout Maryland’s history, horse people have always proven that tough times don’t last, but tough people do,» Atkins said. «We all need to continue to work together to preserve the horse industry in Maryland and at the same time our beautiful scenic farmland.»
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